Electrical cord holding apparatus

ABSTRACT

An extension cord belt clip is disclosed as an example of the present invention. The belt clip is simply constructed, inexpensive and very easy to use. The belt clip allows a cord to be made slack between a user and a tool to which the cord is connected, thereby prevents damage should the cord be inadvertently stretched to its full length during use. The belt clip is a one piece part having a rectangular back portion, a smaller rectangular front portion connected to the upper section of the back portion so as to flex in use, and an “S” shaped clip portion connected to the lower section of the front portion so as to also flex in use. The clip portion includes a cam follower surface for the cord to bear against when connecting the cord to the belt clip, and a support region between the clip portion and the front portion so that the cord is restrained during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a holding apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for holding a line, such as an electrical extension cord, to provide slack therein, where the apparatus is simply constructed, inexpensive and easy to use.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Some electrically driven tools must be used far from a power source, such as an electrical outlet. For example, an electric garden tiller is an outdoor tool that is likely to be used at a distance from an electrical outlet mounted to the outside wall of a house. To solve this problem, electrical extension cords are used. These extend from the wall outlet to the electric tiller. The tiller typically includes an electrical plug, and the extension cord is connected to the tiller plug to cause a hook up of electrical power. During operation of the tiller, it is constantly being moved. This requires the user to monitor the cord very carefully. Careful attention to the cord is necessary both to ensure that the cord is not damaged by the tool nor inadvertently unplugged. A sudden, rough separation could damage the cord, and/or the tiller plug.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The problems mentioned above have been solved by the present invention which is a line holding apparatus comprising a base or back portion having upper and lower sections, the base portion being positioned to be supported by material worn by a user, a flap or front portion connected to the upper section of the base portion and extending generally parallel to the base portion but spaced away therefrom, the flap portion having an upper section and a lower section and the flap portion being positioned on an opposite side of the material from the base portion, and a clip portion connected to the flap portion, the clip portion also having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the clip portion forming with the flap portion a region for supporting and restraining a line, the clip portion being able to flex away from the flap portion in response to the insertion of a line into the supporting and restraining region.

[0006] There are a number of advantages, features and objects achieved with the present invention. For example, one advantage is that the present invention captures and controls a cord so that a user can safely maneuver without interference from excess cord. Another feature is that the present invention is simply constructed, inexpensive and easy to use. A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a line or cord holding apparatus which is reliable and effective. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cord holding apparatus which maintains the cord in a slack condition between a user and a tool or item to which the cord is connected so as to prevent tension at the connection between the cord and the tool, even when there is increased tension in the cord between the user and the end of the cord that is opposite the tool.

[0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing provided herein. The embodiment represents an example of the invention which is described here in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 but the invention itself is defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a user with a line holding apparatus mounted to his belt and an electrically driven garden tiller connected to an electrical extension cord.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the line holding apparatus.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the line holding apparatus.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the line holding apparatus.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the line holding apparatus.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing will be described herein in detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular embodiment, form or example disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a line or cord holding apparatus 10, also referred to as a belt clip, is shown as a unitary device having a back or base portion 12, a front or flap portion 14 and a clip portion 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the line holding apparatus is supported by a user 18 by being mounted to his belt 20. This is accomplished by having the back portion 12 and front portion 14 straddle the belt with the back portion located between the belt and the user and the front portion being adjacent the opposite side of the belt, the one facing away from the user. The apparatus can also be hung from a pocket, a tool loop, the top of a pair of pants or a convenient edge of overalls. Broadly, any material worn by a user may serve as a support to the belt clip. The apparatus 10 may be constructed from a suitable plastic, such as ABS plastic, metal or a combination of material having resilience and durability.

[0016] A line, such as an electrical extension cord 21, is received between the clip portion and the front portion of the holding apparatus so as to fit snugly as shown in FIG. 6. The user ensures there is a slack portion 22 of the extension cord 21 between him/her and an electrical device or tool being operated, such as a garden tiller 24. The garden tiller may include a short electrical line 26 and a plug 28. An extended end 30 of the extension cord 21 is connected to the plug 28 of the electric tiller. An opposite end 32 of the extension cord may be engaged with a power source, such as an electrical outlet 34 attached to the outer wall of a house or mounted to an electrical conduit buried in the ground.

[0017] It can be easily appreciated that should the user inadvertently attempt to move the tiller beyond the length of the extension cord, the cord will develop tension and disengage from the tiller or from the outlet. This may damage the cord, its plug or the plug or line of the tiller. However, with the line holding apparatus 10 and the slack portion 22 in the extension cord, the user 18 will feel tension at his/her belt 20 before any tension is passed to the extended end 30 of the cord or to the tiller plug 28. Once the user feels the tension at the belt, he/she will be notified that the extension cord has been extended to its maximum usable length. Thereafter the user must use another cord or change outlets. Thus, there will not be an inadvertent unplugging of the electric tiller nor any damage to the tiller plug 28 or to the line 26 or to the extension cord 21 because of a rough disengagement. In addition, the user can maintain greater control of the extension cord to minimize the risk of damage to the cord from the tiller because that portion of the cord nearest the tiller is restrained away from the tiller's spinning tines.

[0018] Referring back to FIGS. 2-6, the back portion 12 is formed as an open rectangular frame having an upper section 40 and a lower section 42. The rectangular frame includes a lower short arm 44, an upper short arm 46, a left long arm 50 and a right long arm 52. Surrounded by the arms is an open middle portion 54. Extending from the lower short arm 44 is a shoulder projection 56. As the upper and lower sections have been defined, moving between the left and right long arms is defined as the lateral direction.

[0019] The front portion is also an open rectangular frame having an upper section 60 and a lower section 62. The rectangular frame includes an upper short arm 64, a lower short arm 66, a left long arm 68 and a right long arm 70. The frame defines an open middle portion 74. It may be seen from the drawing that the rectangular frame of the front portion of the line holding apparatus is smaller than the rectangular frame of the back portion. The front portion is connected to the back portion so as to be flexible by having the upper section 60 of the front portion extend from the upper section 40 of the back portion. Flexing may occur when the line holder is hooked onto a user's belt.

[0020] The clip portion of the line holding apparatus is a bent strip in the shape of the letter “S” as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. The clip portion 16 has a lower section 80 which extends from the lower section 62 of the front portion. The clip portion is also formed so as to flex in use. The clip portion 16 includes a surface 82 operating as a cam follower to the cord acting as a cam. The surface 82 is responsive to the downward force of the extension cord 21 as shown in FIG. 6; the cord starts in the upper position, exemplified by the cord 21 a and is pushed downwardly to the portion shown by the cord 21 b. The downward force flexes the clip portion to the right, shown in broken line and labeled 16 a, allowing the cord to be disposed in a region 94, FIG. 3, between the clip portion and the front portion where the cord is supported and restrained. Because of the relevant dimensions, the cord, such as a twelve, fourteen or sixteen gauge extension cord, is squeezed in the region 94 so as to create a snug fit between the cord and the line holding apparatus.

[0021] As best seen in FIG. 5, both the back portion and the front portion are curved in the lateral direction so as to fit more comfortably to the belt or other material worn by the operator.

[0022] The shoulder 56 prevents the inadvertent dismounting of the line holding apparatus 10 from the belt 20, FIGS. 1 and 6, of the user. For example, if the holding apparatus is tugged upwardly, a bottom edge 102 of the belt 20 abuts the shoulder 56 and prevents removal. If the apparatus is tugged downwardly, an upper end 104 of the belt engages an inner surface 106 of the front portion of the apparatus.

[0023] In operation, the user 18 supports the line holding apparatus 10 by mounting it to his/her belt so that the back portion 12 is to one side of the belt and the front portion 14 is to the other side. This mounting arrangement is secure on the belt because any downward or upward pull on the line holding apparatus will cause an edge of the belt to engage or abut parts of the apparatus. The user creates a slack portion of the cord between himself and the electric tool or device he/she is operating and then pushes the cord against the cam follower surface of the clip portion 16 until the cord is received in the region 94. In this region the cord is squeezed so as to be both supported and restrained.

[0024] The user next plugs the cord into the plug 28 of the tiller 24. In normal use, should the user stretch the extension cord to its limit, he/she will feel a tension at the belt before there is ever an undesirable tension at the plug 28. This feature of the apparatus prevents any damage to the tiller plug or line because of an inadvertent rough disengagement caused by tension in the extension cord. The apparatus or belt clip also minimizes damage to the cord by placing the cord away from the tiller while the tiller is being operated by the user.

[0025] The above specification describes in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments, modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, while the line is described as an extension cord, other types of lines, cables or the like may be used. Also, while a belt is described, the line holding apparatus may also be supported by a web, a loop of material, an edge of an garment, such as the top of a pair of pants or the edge of a pair of overalls. Even a pocket opening may be used. Also, the garment or material being worn may be located along a user's side or, like a pocket, adjacent the user's back. Still other alternatives will also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no desire or intention to limit in any way the application of the doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the invention. 

1. A line holding apparatus comprising: a base portion having upper and lower sections, said base portion adapted to be positioned on one side of material worn by a user; a flap portion connected to said upper section of said base portion and extending generally parallel to said base portion but spaced away therefrom, said flap portion having an upper section and a lower section and said flap portion adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the material from said base portion; and a clip portion connected to said flap portion, said clip portion having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section of said clip portion forming with said flap portion a region for supporting and restraining a line, said clip being able to flex away from said flap portion in response to the insertion of a line into said region.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said upper section of said clip portion includes a cam follower surface.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said lower section of said base portion includes a shoulder for restraining said holding apparatus when said holding apparatus is mounted on material.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said clip portion is connected to said lower section of said flap portion.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said flap portion is flexibly connected to said base portion.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said base portion includes a lateral direction; and said base portion is curved in said lateral direction.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said flap portion includes a lateral direction; and said flap portion is curved in said lateral direction.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said upper section of said clip portion includes a cam follower surface; said clip portion is connected to said lower section of said flap portion; and said flap portion is flexibly connected to said base portion.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said lower section of said base portion includes a shoulder for restraining said holding apparatus when said holding apparatus is mounted on material; said base and flap portions include a lateral direction; said base portion is curved in said lateral direction; and said flap portion is curved in said lateral direction.
 10. A line holding apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a back portion designed to be supported by material worn by a user; a front portion connected to said back portion so as to flex, said front portion being designed to be positioned on an opposite side of the material; and a clip portion connected to said flap portion so as to flex, said clip portion having a cam follower surface and forming with said front portion a supporting and restraining region for a line.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said back portion comprises a rectangular frame with an open center; and said front portion comprises a rectangular frame with a center opening, said front portion frame being smaller than said back portion frame.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said back portion and said front portion are connected along short edges of respective frames.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said clip portion comprises a bent strip connected at one end to an opposite short edge of said front portion frame.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said front portion is flexible away from said back portion during mounting of said apparatus on material worn by said user.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said clip portion is flexible away from said front portion during line insertion.
 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein: said front portion is flexible away from said back portion during mounting of said apparatus on material worn by said user; and said clip portion is flexible away from said front portion during line insertion.
 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein: said back portion and said front portion are curved. 